Coming soon: Science Week

9–18 March is National Science & Engineering Week.The Museum has just issued the following Press Release:

National Science Week at Lyme Regis Museum includes an evening with Dr Ramues Gallois, Fellow of the Geological Society, who will talk and answer questions on the ever-moving landslides of the Devon-Dorset coast. Large landslides are more common on the Jurassic Coast than in any other part of the UK, and erosion of the rocks between Sidmouth and Lyme Regis has produced the most spectacular active landslides in Europe. Dr Gallois poses the question, ‘Why do they occur and will we ever be able to predict them?’ Drinks from 6.30 for talk at 7pm on Saturday 10 March. No booking necessary, everyone welcome FREE.

Tides along the Lyme Regis coast are among the lowest of the year on Sunday 11th, Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th March. Join Paddy Howe and Chris Andrew on one of Lyme Regis Museum’s fossil hunting walks for the more interesting discoveries usually found at this time of year. Sunday’s walk leaves the museum at 11.45am; Monday’s at 12.30pm; and Tuesday’s at 1pm. Fossil walks take about three hours. Booking advisable: telephone 01297 443370 or email walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk. See the museum website for times of walks throughout the year at www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk.

At Lyme Regis Museum on Saturday 17 March at 2.30pm Paddy Howe and Chris Andrew urge you to Know Your Fossils. They tell how to find, identify and handle fossils, show the more unusual finds that have come to light as a result of landslides and coastal erosion, and invite you to bring along your own discoveries for identification. No booking necessary.

Family Fun Day: Meet the Ecosaurs

Around 180 children dropped into Lyme Regis Museum on Wednesday February 15 for half-term family fun with dinosaurs. The children made rubbings of fossils, created pictures of their favourite dinosaurs and produced a timeline to take home and remind themselves of Lyme’s oldest residents from the Jurassic Age. The photograph shows Ellie Romanini aged eight from London and Arabella Conway-Hyde aged seven from Bridport.

You can read all about the event and see some more pictures on the Previous Events page of the Museum website.

Lyme Regis Museum appoints a new Director

David Tucker, currently Dorset County Museums Advisor for Dorset County Council, has been appointed Director of Lyme Regis Museum.

Trustees’ Chairman Stephen Locke said: ‘We are pleased that David has accepted our invitation to direct the museum at this challenging time as we pursue our big plans for the museum extension, and that the museum has again attracted a first-class museum professional.’

Kate Hebditch will continue as Acting Curator until David takes up his appointment in May.

Our geologist makes a TV appearance

As seen above, Paddy Howe, Lyme Regis Museum's geologist, made an appearance on the Children's BBC show Jedward's Big Adventure this afternoon. Jedward, a young duo from Dublin, shot to fame a couple of years ago as contestants on The X Factor (sadly they failed to win, due to being memorable and having a personality). In their new TV series, they travel around the country trying to learn enough facts about a place to pass themselves off as tour guides. In today's episode it was the turn of the Jurassic Coast, and Lyme Regis featured very strongly.

The show was filmed last October. Paddy says 'They were lovely lads and asked some really intelligent questions about the fossils. I think they enjoyed it'. If you missed the show, there are still a few days to catch it on BBC iPlayer.

Americana in Lyme Regis Museum

The photograph above shows another of the recently added displays in Lyme Regis Museum. Perhaps not as exciting as the new Jane Austen display, it does however relate to what must have been a turbulent time in the town's history, when US troops were stationed here during the Second World War. This small collection of wartime American money has kindly been donated to the Museum by Lyme Regis resident Ken Gollop.

Also acquired recently by the Museum is a collection of documents that belonged to one-time Mayor of the town, Ivor Curtis. These include the certificate shown below conferring honorary citizenship of Dallas. The text reads: "Be it hereby known that the Honorable Ivor Curtis, Mayor, Lyme Regis England, has on this day been made an Honorary Citizen of Dallas, Texas, and under this charter shall hold and enjoy a place of high esteem in the minds and hearts of the people of this City. October 23, 1985."

Museum Events in February

THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall
The Great Sir Thomas Ackland, Voyager Extraordinaire
A talk by Dr. Keith Orrell. Organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 11am till 3pm at the Museum
Half-term Family fun Day - Meet the Ecosaurs

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 9.45am to 4.30pm at The Dorset History Centre
Exploring the Collections at the Dorset History Centre: day conference
Click here to download a programme and booking form

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2.30pm the Regent Cinema
Films with a connection to Lyme Regis
A talk by David Johnson, Manager of the Regent Cinema. Jointly with The Lyme Regis Society.

MARY ANNING WALKS

• Sunday 5 February 2012 14.00
• Saturday 11 February 2012 14.00
• Sunday 12 February 2012 14.00
• Saturday 18 February 2012 14.00
• Sunday 19 February 2012 14.00
• Sunday 26 February 2012 14.00

FOSSIL WALKS

• Tuesday 7 February 2012 09.30
• Thursday 9 February 2012 10.45
• Saturday 11 February 2012 12.15
• Sunday 12 February 2012 12.45
• Monday 13 February 2012 13.15
• Monday 20 February 2012 09.00
• Tuesday 21 February 2012 09.30
• Thursday 23 February 2012 10.45
• Friday 24 February 2012 11.15
• Saturday 25 February 2012 11.45
• Sunday 26 February 2012 12.15
• Monday 27 February 2012 12.30
• Tuesday 28 February 2012 13.00